Kieran Culkin Says His Mom Noticed a Pattern: ‘Why Are You Always in Dysfunctional Family Stories?’
Kieran Culkin, best known for his breakout role as Roman Roy on HBO’s hit series Succession, has long been associated with projects that explore complex, dysfunctional family dynamics. In a recent interview, Culkin shared a fascinating and poignant anecdote about his mother’s reaction to the types of roles he and his siblings, including his famous older brother Macaulay Culkin, have been cast in over the years. According to Kieran, his mother once asked, “Why is my kid always cast in roles about dysfunctional families?”
A History of Dysfunctional Roles
Kieran Culkin’s acting career has been defined by performances that delve into family chaos, dark humor, and emotional conflict. From his early roles in Igby Goes Down (2002) to Succession (2018-2023), Culkin has made a name for himself by portraying characters who often find themselves entangled in tumultuous family relationships.
His breakthrough role came in Igby Goes Down, a dark comedy about a rebellious teenager struggling with his dysfunctional family. The film received critical acclaim and established Culkin as a serious actor capable of handling complex material. His mother’s question seems particularly relevant in this film, one of his first major forays into the subject of family turmoil.
Kieran Culkin and Macaulay Culkin
The Culkin Family Legacy
The Culkin name has been a Hollywood icon since the early 1990s, largely due to Macaulay Culkin’s huge success as Kevin McCallister in Home Alone (1990) and its sequel Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992). Although Home Alone is a comedy, it still revolves around the theme of family dysfunction, as Kevin’s family forgets him not once but twice, leading to the question—why do the Culkin children seem so well-suited to these roles?
Macaulay isn’t the only Culkin sibling to take on emotional roles. Kieran appeared alongside his brother in Home Alone as Kevin’s cousin Fuller, and later took on roles in films like The Cider House Rules (1999) and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010).
Their younger brother, Rory Culkin, followed a similar path, starring in You Can Count on Me (2000) and Signs (2002), both of which explored family relationships in different ways.
One can’t help but wonder if the Culkin children’s upbringing played a role in their constant casting in dysfunctional family dramas. The Culkins’ father, Kit Culkin, was a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, managing his children’s careers with an intensity that some have described as domineering. Macaulay has been candid about his complicated relationship with his father, which eventually led to him taking a break from acting for several years.
Kieran has also touched on his own experiences growing up in the industry, noting that while he loved acting, he didn’t always appreciate the pressures that came with it. His acting, particularly in Succession, reflects an understanding of familial power struggles and emotional wounds that can seem truly bizarre.
Succession: The Ultimate Dysfunctional Family Drama
If there was one role that perfectly captured Kieran Culkin’s career-long obsession with dysfunctional families, it was Roman Roy in Succession. The film, which followed the power struggles of the ultra-wealthy Roy family, has been hailed as one of the greatest dramas of modern times.
Roman Roy, the youngest son of media mogul Logan Roy, is a deeply emotional character. He hides his vulnerability behind a brash sense of humor, never receiving the respect he craves from his father and siblings. The relationship between the Roy children is rife with betrayal, rivalry, and deep-rooted psychological issues—elements that have followed Culkin throughout his acting career.
Culkin’s performance as Roman was widely praised, earning him multiple Emmy nominations. When asked about playing such a volatile character, he often credits Succession’s excellent writing and directing, but his own life experiences certainly added layers of authenticity to his performance.
With Succession ending, Kieran Culkin is at a pivotal point in his career. Will he continue to take on roles that explore family turmoil, or will he branch out into new genres?
While he has yet to announce his next big project, fans are eager to see where he goes from here. Given his past, it wouldn’t be surprising if he took on another role centered around family—unstable or not.
Regardless of what happens next, one thing is clear: Kieran Culkin’s career has been defined by his ability to bring depth, humor, and authenticity to roles that explore the complexities of family. His mother’s question remains a humorous yet thought-provoking commentary on the trajectory of her children’s acting careers, but ultimately, it’s this theme that has made Kieran and his siblings some of the most compelling actors in Hollywood.
